Hlangana Lodge
Hlangana Lodge is a four-star family-run guesthouse set on over a hectare of lush exotic gardens on the outskirts of the town of Oudtshoorn, the principal town of the Klein Karoo, a spectacular 350km valley which stretches from Montagu in the west to Uniondale in the east. The valley is encompassed by mountains, with the Swartberg Mountains in the north and the Langberge and Outeniqua mountains in the south. The valley is also home to one of the world’s longest wine routes, which stretches 270km from Montagu to De Rust.
The lodge’s proximity to the town centre, but its sheltered and calming environment provided by the expansive grounds, means this oasis allows guests to explore the surrounding areas but have a place of respite away from the hustle and bustle of the town. The guesthouse consists of 27 rooms: these are made up of standard and family rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and the honeymoon suite. All the rooms have private entrances with veranda or patio access to enjoy the tranquility of the grounds.
Hlangana Lodge, North Street, Oudtshoorn, South Africa
The Hlangana Lodge is situated 1km from the town centre of Oudtshoorn, a town that came to prosperity through the ostrich feather trade boom of the late 1800s. The town itself is sometimes referred to as the ostrich capital of the world, in 2012, there were 200,000 ostriches in the area spread across the 500 ostrich farms that still exist in the area. Many farms and specialised breeding centres have been set up in the surrounding area. The C.P Nel Museum located in the former Boy’s High School, houses exhibits displaying the role of the ostrich trade in the town’s history, as well as the cultural history of the region.
Guests can access Hlangana Lodge by car, the route from George airport over the N12 that takes visitors over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass is highly recommended or fly straight to Oudtshoorn Airport which is only 3km from the Hlangana Lodge.
- Saltwater swimming pool
- Gym facilities
- Curio shop
- 24-hour concierge
- Day planning and tour options (including restaurant bookings)
- Bar and lounge
- Rooms have private entrances with patio or veranda access.
Oudtshoorn has a semi-arid climate, meaning the days are often clear and dry. The Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains protect the valley of the Klein Karoo from most of the rain that characterises the coastal plains to the south. The Klein Karoo offers some of the highest plant diversity in the world, as it is here that the mega-ecotone of the Succulent Karoo and Cape Floristic provinces meet and mingle. This topographically varied and complex region with its mountains, valleys and rocky mesas, is home to 55 distinct habitat types, which means many of these plants are found only in the Klein Karoo and nowhere else in the world.
The warmest months are from January until May, where temperatures average at around 26°C with little rainfall. The cooler months of June to August, with an average temperature of 17°C, may give travellers more comfortable temperatures for exploring the hiking trails of the Klein Karoo.
The standard and family rooms at Hlangana Lodge provide all the necessary creature comforts for your stay, including tea and coffee facilities. Relax in the warmly decorated room with beautiful redwood accents, or take your morning coffee or tea on the private veranda overlooking the garden and swimming pool. Each room has its own bathroom, complete with a shower and double sink vanity unit. The standard room sleeps 2 people, but the Lodge do offer sharing rates and extra space upon request. Family rooms with a separate room and twin beds are available, and sleep up to 4 guests.
The superior rooms give guests more space to unwind, with larger rooms and a modern, more spacious bathroom that has a separate shower and whirlpool bathtub. The superior rooms have a sleek mid-century modern feel with hardwood flooring and mixed material furniture. These rooms offer guests a view of the garden’s fountain and more privacy than the standard rooms. Creature comforts such as tea and coffee making facilities, climate control and an area to unwind are all available.
The Deluxe rooms at Hlangana Lodge are newly built, offering guests clean and modern decor and their own private entrance. Large windows and the separate veranda overlook the beautiful landscaped gardens that Hlangana Lodge is famed for. The room is furnished with a large double bed and neutral-toned wooden furniture. The ensuite bathroom has underfloor heating, a large walk-in shower and a separate bathtub along with a double sink vanity unit. The Deluxe rooms offer guests the option of a private outside shower or bathtub to truly immerse themselves in the beauty of their surroundings.
A true taste of luxury, guests can enjoy the large room which has a separate living area and private patio at the back. The room is furnished with white linen, mid-century modern furnishings and a large double bed. The living area is homely and warmly decorated, with a beautiful embroidered chintz living set for guests to relax. and The ensuite bathroom boasts a jacuzzi tub along with a large shower and double vanity unit. Guests in the honeymoon suite are also greeted with complimentary champagne for the room on arrival.
A continental buffet-style breakfast is available to guests from 7am to 10am and can be enjoyed in the breakfast room or on the patio, a la carte and champagne breakfast options are also available. Reception staff are happy to make restaurant bookings or recommendations for lunch and evening meals in Oudtshoorn itself, just 3 km or a 5-minute drive from the hotel.
Situated in the Swartberg Mountains, the Cango Caves are a 20 million-year-old network of hidden chambers carved into the thick limestone rock, often lauded as South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction, this system of caverns boasts an incredible history. Tours through the Cango Caves consist of a standard tour and an adventure tour which both run regularly throughout the day.
Facilities available include:
- An auditorium with information about Cango 2, this cave is closed to the public.
- An information bureau.
- A restaurant which serves traditional South African dishes.
A perfect family day out, the Cango Wildlife Ranch has a variety of activities for children and adults alike. Learn about the spectacularly diverse wildlife, the importance of conservation and the role the ranch plays in preventing the extinction of species. If you’re feeling especially brave, they even offer Croc Cage Dive, allowing you to get very close to some of the world’s super-predators!
The Klein Karoo Wine Route is arguably one of the most diverse of South Africa’s wine regions due to the various microclimates that exist in the area. Explore local, family-owned vineyards which produce world-class port wines, and Muscadel are some of the specialities produced in the area.
Children are welcome at Hlangana Lodge, and children under 3 stay for free.